Posing Techniques - Digital Photography

POSING
TECHNIQUES
for Photographing Model Portfolios

BILLY PEGRAM
Amherst Media
®
PUBLISHER OF PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS

Dedication
I would like to extend my appreciation to Dorothy Pegram, and Tom and Dolly Branski for their encouragement, love, and support in helping make this a rewarding career. Additional thanks to Loa Anderson for her special consultation, especially in sections dealingwith the CSI program. I would also like to thank all the demo models: Bethany, Ciana, Iana, Janeen, Kasia, Krissy, Lexie, Lisa, Marisa, Mary, Monique, and Shayn. Special thanks to: Bikini Bay Sportswear and Swimwear designer Bo of Toronto, Canada; Lana Fuchs from Isis Couture, who provided many of the fashions in the images; hair and fashion stylist Michael Hall of Seattle; hair and makeupspecialist Wendalynn Nelson of Las Vegas; and makeup artists Nicci Kelly and Christina Copeland. Finally, thanks to: Cinch Jeans, Dusk magazine, Headlights and Tailpipes in Las Vegas, Luxury Las Vegas magazine, and Showbiz magazine.

Copyright © 2008 by Billy Pegram. All photographs by the author. All rights reserved.

Published by: Amherst Media, Inc. P.O. Box 586 Buffalo, N.Y. 14226 Fax:716-874-4508 www.AmherstMedia.com Publisher: Craig Alesse Senior Editor/Production Manager: Michelle Perkins Assistant Editor: Barbara A. Lynch-Johnt Editorial Assistance: John S. Loder, Carey A. Maines, and Artie Vanderpool ISBN-13: 978-1-58428-220-4 Library of Congress Control Number: 2007926868 Printed in Korea. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmittedin any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without prior written consent from the publisher. Notice of Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is based on the author’s experience and opinions. The author and publisher will not be held liable for the use or misuse of the information in this book.

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
The Importance of Good Posing . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Helping the Model Look Her Best . . . . . . . . .6 Pleasing the Client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 The Challenges of Model Photography . . . . . . . .9 Technical Challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Styling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Working with People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 About This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

1. Basic Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Previsualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Emulate the Success of Others . . . . . . . . . . .14 Use Your Imagination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Communicate Your Concept . . . . . . . .. . . .15 Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Creating Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Stopping the Gaze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Straight Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .21 Composition and Cropping . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Tone and Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Posing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

2. Posing the Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Three Basic Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Posture . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

CSI Program: A Starting Point . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 History and Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Diagramming a Pose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 The C, S, and I Poses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Foot Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 The Crossover and...